AP World History: Unit 3 (1450-1750) Overview

Land-Based Empires

• Defined as empires whose power comes from territorial holdings.
• Major expansion and administration focus in the period.
• Key empires to know: Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Qing.

The Ottoman Empire

• Founded in the 14th century, expanded using gunpowder weapons.
• Controlled much of southwestern Europe by the 15th century.
• Conquered Constantinople in 1453, renamed Istanbul.
• Expansion into Eastern Europe, enslaved Christians to form Janissaries, an elite fighting force.

The Safavid Empire

• Began in the 16th century under Shah Ismail.
• Expanded through gunpowder weapons.
• Built military with enslaved Christians from the Caucasus region.
• Main difference from Ottomans: Shia Islam (Ottomans were Sunni).

The Mughal Empire

• Established in South Asia in the 16th century by Babur.
• Expanded using gunpowder weapons, under Akbar became very prosperous.
• Akbar was known for tolerance of Hindu majority, leading to a prosperous empire.

The Qing Dynasty

• Formed by the Manchu in the 17th century after the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
• Expanded using gunpowder, ruled over ethnically Han Chinese.

Comparison of Empires

• All were land-based and expanded rapidly with gunpowder.
• Qing and Mughal rulers were ethnically different from their subjects.
• Safavid and Ottoman religious differences (Shia vs. Sunni) caused conflicts.

Conflicts

• Safavid-Mughal conflict over territory in Afghanistan.
• Religious differences intensified conflicts (Safavid Shia vs. Mughal Sunni).

Administration of Empires

• Legitimizing and Consolidating Power:
  • Large bureaucracies for governance (e.g., Ottoman devshirme system).
  • Military development (e.g., Janissaries in Ottoman).
  • Use of religious ideas, art, and monumental architecture (e.g., Divine Right of Kings in Europe, Kangxi portraits in Qing).
  • Innovations in tax collection:
    • Mughal zamindar system
    • Ottoman tax farming system
    • Aztec tribute lists

Changes in Belief Systems

• Christianity:
  • Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther against Catholic Church practices.
  • Catholic Reformation (Council of Trent) attempted to reform and reaffirm Catholic doctrine.
• Islam:
  • Intensification of Sunni-Shia split due to Safavid policies.
• Sikhism:
  • Emerged in South Asia as a syncretic blend of Hinduism and Islam.

These notes provide a high-level overview of key points and themes in Unit 3 of AP World History, focusing on the major land-based empires and shifts in belief systems from 1450 to 1750.